Working in a windowless office or interior cubicle doesn't mean you have to completely give up on office plants. Those office florescent lights can give some plants enough light to stay alive (and the most low light tolerant plants will even thrive!)
Costa Farms is the largest grower of houseplants in the world and many of the houseplants sold at local stores come from their fields in Miami, Florida. In this week's Garden Guide, Justin Hancock, a horticulturalist at Costa Farms, gives me a tour of his favorite plants around the office. Justin is and an expert in houseplant care and his latest book, The New Complete Guide to Houseplants, comes out this fall.
A classic plant with a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. These plants typically grow 3 feet tall, but some varieties can stay small enough to fit right on your desk. The Snake Plant features vertical, sword-like foliage that adds visual height without encroaching on valuable desk real estate.
The snake plant has thick leaves hold water reserves which makes it very tolerant of dry conditions. It's technically a succulent so it likes to be rootbound & only needs water once a month.
Looking for a pink plant? How about something with funky stripes and patterns. Commonly known as the Chinese Evergreen, Aglaonema is probably the best choice for people looking for very colorful leaves that can tolerate a life under florescent lighting. The darker green and silver varieties are the most tolerant of low light. These plants don't mind drying out, but prefer not to.
Imagine a cubicle covered in vines! If you're looking for a plant that stays in its container this one is not for you, but for the creatives in the office, you can't go wrong with pothos! This vine is perfect in a hanging basket or wrapped around your desk. The heart shaped leaves come in variegated streaks of golden yellows or white. Pothos maintains strong chlorophyll levels under artificial overhead bulbs, growing steadily without requiring direct sun. They like to be well watered and overtime may need to be trimmed back.
Despite its palm-like appearance, the Ponytail Palm is actually a succulent. Its distinctive swollen trunk (caudex) stores water, topped by a fountain of long, cascading leaves. Like most succulents, the ponytail palm prefers the sunniest window you can give it. A few hours of direct shining light from a window will ensure strong growth, but these plants are adaptable and can live a long life in low-light conditions. Like all desert plants, the Ponytail Palm prefers to dry out between waterings.
Dracaena is a great genus of plants for offices. Just like snake plants, it's "cousin" Dracaenea marginata (Dragon Tree) or even Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant) will add dramatic tropical texture to office spaces in low light conditions. It has with long, strap-like leaves atop sturdy wooden canes. Water when the top half of the soil feels dry. Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride in tap water, so using filtered water prevents brown leaf tips.
Light Duration: Ensure overhead fluorescent lights remain on for at least 8 to 10 hours daily.
Lighting source: Any light can be a grow light! Of course a bright window would be the most ideal situation.
Dust Prevention: Office HVAC systems generate fine dust that coats leaves. Wipe leaves down monthly with a moist cloth so light can penetrate the foliage.
Avoid Overwatering: Plants under artificial light drink much slower than those in sunny windows. Always test soil dryness with your finger before adding water. Make sure the bottom of your container has holes so water can drain out freely.
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